Thank you very much for viewing. I am a gagaku (Japanese court music) hichiriki player with over 50 years of experience. I create over a thousand high-quality reeds annually. This reed is made from high-quality reeds from Udono, carefully selected and dried in the shade for about a year and a half, then smoked over a hearth for over 10 years. I am confident that this is a top-of-the-line reed, boasting both durability and excellent sound quality. I believe you will understand after reviewing past evaluations. It looks like it has been used because I have spent time cultivating and finishing it so that I can use it myself. Of course, there are no cracks, and it is ready to perform at its best, allowing you to play comfortably. It has the same thickness as my own beloved Kanda Jūsuke (slightly thicker), but it is basically compatible with any hichiriki, including plastic pipes. Even beginners can breathe into it easily. The price of one reed is a bit high, but if you are not satisfied, I will handle returns and exchanges in any way. I am confident that you will be satisfied with this reed, so please give it a try. As a supplement, even if you have the most wonderful materials, if you don't have the skill to play, you won't be able to tell the difference, and you will never be able to make a better reed! Even if the reed itself is somewhat shaped, the tsume (the part that makes the sound) may be weak, or the seme (the part that seals the reed) may be loose or tight, which is one of the reasons why new reeds don't sound. Also, people say to cultivate a new reed, to make it sound... but in my experience, if the original quality is poor or if it's just raw reeds that have been dried in the shade, it just doesn't work. I am convinced that it is only through proper smoking that you can achieve the core sound with firmness and luster. If you have any problems or concerns with gagaku or hichiriki, I may be able to help. Thank you for reading this long message. I hope you will consider this reed.